Mix and match toy kit

ABSTRACT

A mix or match toy set is disclosed wherein four units having a common theme have at least two or three sections. These two or three sections can be interchanged with one another. In one embodiment the units are different transportation vehicles. The units are held together by using magnets in male and female connectors.

This disclosure teaches a mix or match toy wherein there are several different units composed of a plurality of sections, all having a common theme.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the common theme is modes of transportation.

In one embodiment, each unit is comprised of at least two sections.

In another embodiment each unit is comprised of at least three sections.

In yet another embodiment, each of the units is connected to at least one other unit by the use of magnets.

In yet another embodiment of the disclosure, the sections of the units are interchangeable.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, one of the units for the transportation toy is an airplane.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, one of the units for the transportation toy is an automobile.

In another embodiment of the disclosure one of the units for the transportation toy is a locomotive.

In yet another embodiment of the disclosure, one of the embodiments is a boat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automobile unit;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the locomotive unit;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the boat unit

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the airplane unit;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the distal end of the front section of automobile unit;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the proximal end of the middle section of the automobile unit;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the distal end of the middle section of the automobile unit;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the proximal end of the rear section of the automobile unit;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the distal end of the front section of the locomotive unit;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the proximal end of the middle section of the locomotive unit;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the distal end of the middle section of the locomotive unit;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the proximal end of the end section of the locomotive unit;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the distal end of the front section of the boat unit;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the proximal end of the middle section of the boat unit;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the distal end of the middle section of the boat unit;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the proximal end of the of the end section of the boat unit;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the distal end of the front section of the airplane unit;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the proximal end of the middle section of the airplane unit;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the distal end of the middle section of the airplane unit;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the proximal end of the end section of the airplane unit;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an interchanged mid-section vehicle assembly;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an additional interchanged mid-section for a vehicle;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an interchanged end section;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the underside of the automobile unit;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the top side of the automobile unit;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the underside of the boat unit;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the underside of the airplane unit; and

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the underside of the locomotive unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, and in one embodiment of the disclosure, the mix or match toy 1 includes an automobile unit 2, an airplane unit 3, a locomotive unit 4; and a boat unit 5. In other embodiments, any one of the transportation units are substituted for a bus unit (not shown) a space shuttle or any other mode of transportation. In another embodiment, there are additional transportation units. In another embodiment of the mix or match toy, the units have, instead of a transportation theme, a different theme. For example, the theme could be buildings, fashion, humans, fish, mammals or other animals (including insects, birds, etc), food, dinosaurs, botany, lab equipment, electronic devices, monsters, etc, and even combinations thereof.

Each unit is comprised of at least two sections. In one embodiment, each unit is comprised of at least three sections such that the automobile unit 2 comprises a front auto section 6, a second or middle auto section 7, and a rear auto section 8. Continuing the scenario, the airplane unit 3 comprises a front airplane section 9, a second or middle airplane section 10, and a rear airplane section 11. The locomotive unit 4 comprises a front locomotive section 12, a second or middle locomotive section 13, and a rear locomotive section 14. The boat unit 5 comprises a boat front section 15, a second or middle boat section 16, and a rear boat section 17.

The distal walls 18, 19, 20, 21 of front sections 6, 9, 12, 15, have female receptors 22, 23, 24, 25. The female receptors are shown as rectangular; however, in other embodiments, the female receptors are rectangular, oval, circular, triangular, pentagonal, or any other shape. Representative of all of the square female receptors, the automobile receptor has receptor side walls 200, 201, 202, 203 Within each of the female receptors 22, 23, 24, 25 there is at least one magnet which is either glued to the receptor rear wall 26, 27, 28, 29 of the female receptor 22, 23, 24, 25, or embedded into or within the plastic of the receptor rear wall 26, 27, 28, 29. In one embodiment, part of the magnet projects from the receptor rear wall 26, 27, 28, 29, magnet inserted through the front wall 26 from behind the front the wall 26. In one embodiment, two magnets either parallel, next to each other, or one on top of another, project from the front wall. In one embodiment, two magnets are positioned parallel and perpendicular to the length of the body of the structure, each of said magnets partially extending out from said receptor rear wall 26, 27, 28, 29.

In another embodiment, North and South poles 30 & 31; 32 & 33; 34 & 35; 36 & 37 comprising the two ends of the same magnet are projecting through the receptor end wall 26, 27, 28, 29, with the body of the magnet integral with the two poles positioned behind the front wall (not shown). The magnet is held in place by any method known in the art.

The rear ends or sections 8, 11, 14, 17 of each of the units have, at their proximal walls 38, 39, 40, 41, male projections 42, 43, 44, 45, containing or a material 46, 47, 48, 49, which is attracted to a magnet. This material includes iron, nickel, cobalt, some alloys of rare earth metals, and some naturally occurring minerals such as lodestone. These materials while not magnets themselves, are ferromagnetic materials.

In one embodiment, the material is attached to the male projection by an adhesive (not shown). In another embodiment, the material is in the form of a plate 300, enveloped by the male projection 42, 43, 44, 45. The plate (herein labeled as the material 46, 47, 48, 49, positioned near the proximal walls 50, 51, 52, 53 of the male projection) of the male projection, is held in place by a cage 54,55,56,57, Again, using the automobile unit 2 as representative of the other units, within opposing indentations 400, 401 of the cage, and positioned at the top section 410 and bottom section 411 of cage 54 is clip 58 positioned in the same plane and opposite from clip 59. Clips 58, 59 are positioned on a base 60, and are positioned to push the ferromagnetic plate against proximal wall 50 having two parallel linear openings 62, 63 corresponding to the magnets of the female connector. The proximal wall 50 is integral with support columns 64, 65 for supporting the projection plate which has part of indentations 400, 401 for the clips.

Middle sections 7, 10, 13, 16 have a proximal end 66, 67, 68, 69, and a distal end 70, 71, 72, 73. As shown, the proximal ends have male projections 74, 75, 76, 77, and distal ends have female receptors 78, 79, 80, 81.

In another embodiment, the front sections 6, 9, 12, 15 comprise the male projection and the rear sections have the female receptors. Similarly, the position of the male projections and female receptors on the middle section can be reversed. In all cases, the shape of the female receptor corresponds to the shape of the male projection, and vice versa. The male or female receptors can be positioned through the walls prior to the walls being inserted into the various sections. These receptors can be snapped in, held in place by glue, or by any other means known in the art.

Each section of the individual units 2,3,4,5, have a top section 82, 83, 84, 85 and a bottom section 86, 87, 88, 89. The contour of the top sections 82, 83, 84, 85 are virtually identical to/with each other, and the contours of the bottom sections 86, 87, 88, 89 are virtually identical to/with each other. Thus, the various front, mid and end sections of the various embodiments are interchangeable. At least one mid-section of one vehicle can be interchanged with or added to another vehicle. Alternatively, a rear section can be interchanged. There are countless possibilities. The top sections and the bottom sections can be secured by any means known in the art, including glue, snapping together of a pin and hole, screwing the two sections together, etc.

The distal and proximal walls containing the projection and receptor are either inserted after the top and bottom sections are secured together or before. These walls can be glued into position snapped into position by pins, or by any other means known in the art. The walls are fitted within or at the ends of the contour.

The differences among the sections lies in the extensions extending from the sections, the features painted on the various sections of the vehicles, and the set of wheels on the front sections and rear sections of the vehicles. Also, non-contoured features that extend from the contour of the unit differ.

The automobile unit 2 has a hood 100 as part of the front section, painted on headlights 101, 101 a and a set of mag wheels 102 103 held in place by an axle 104 which in turn is held in place by a grab split 105 on the underside of the front section of the automobile unit 2. The front section also has two side view mirrors 106, 107. As in all of the units, the proximal and distal ends of the sections are glued in or secured in place by any known method. Prior to inserting the distal or proximate ends, the appropriate magnetic or metal inserts are positioned through the front wall of the female receptor or through an opening in the distal or positioned through proximal walls for the male receptor.

The front section also comprises two door handles 113, 114, as well as a painted on front windshield 115, and two side windows 116, 117.

The middle section of the automobile unit has painted on windows 118, 119, door handles 120, 121, and a moon roof 122. The rear section of the automobile unit has another set of wheels.

The end section of the automobile unit 2 comprises two side windows 128, 129, a rear window 130, and, besides some other accoutrements, a set of mag wheels 131, 132, held in place by an axle 133, along with the male projection discussed supra.

The locomotive unit which is the locomotive comprises a front section having a cow catcher 134, two sets of four wheels 135, 136, 137, 138 held by two axles (not shown). The front section has two horns 140, 141 above the control room 142.

The middle section of the locomotive unit comprises air intake vents 143, 144 as well as vent 145 and two exhaust pipes 146, 147, and the end section of the locomotive unit comprises two air intake vents 148, 149, a fan ensemble 150, and a rear door (not shown), as well as two sets of locomotive wheels 152, 153, 154, 155, held by two axles (not shown).

The plane unit comprises a front section having a nose 156, pilots' windows 157, 158, and a set of wheels 159, 160 secured by means known in the art. The middle section of the plane unit has wings 161, 162 and painted on windows 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168. The rear section has a set of wheels 169, 170, horizontal stabilizers 171, 172 and vertical stabilizers 173, 174.

The boat unit has a front section having a rounded bow 175, a life preserver 176, and a set of wheels 177, 178. The middle section of the boat comprises a cabin superstructure and the rear section of the boat comprises the stem 179, with an open area 180 for passengers or fishermen as well as a set of wheels. There are other accoutrements extending from the rear section.

The various sections of the various transportation units can be interchanged. For example, a middle section for an automobile can be inserted in place of or in addition to the middle section for the airplane. In another example, the front section of the locomotive locomotive can be attached to the middle section of the boat, and the end section can be the end section from the airplane. There are numerous possibilities.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosure described above without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1) A mix or match toy, said toy comprising a plurality of units having a similar theme, each of said units comprising at least three sections comprising: a) A front section, said front section comprising: i) a front section body; ii) a proximal end; iii) a distal end, said distal end comprising end comprising a complementary magnetic connection, said complementary magnetic connection being selected from the group consisting of: A) a male connector having a geometric shape and extending from said distal end of said front section, comprising ferromagnetic structures being positioned at a distal end wall of said geometric shape of said male connector; and, B) a female receptor positioned in said distal end of said front section, having a shape complementary to said geometric shape of said male connector, wherein complementary ferromagnetic structures of said female receptor complementary to said ferromagnetic structures of said male connector are positioned in a distal wall of said female connector; iv) a top contour, wherein said top contour said front section matches the top contour of any other section; v) a bottom contour wherein said bottom contour of said front section matches the bottom contour of any other section; and vi) a side contour, wherein said side contour of said front section matches the side contour of any other said side contour of any other section; b) a back section, said back section comprising: i) a back section body; ii) a back section proximal end, said end comprising a complementary magnetic connection, said complementary magnetic connection being selected from the group consisting of: A) a male connector having a geometric shape and extending from said proximal end of said back section, comprising ferromagnetic structures being positioned at a distal end wall of said geometric shape of said male connector; and B) a female receptor positioned in said proximal end of said back section, having a shape complementary to said geometric shape of said male connector, wherein complementary ferromagnetic structures of said female receptor complementary to said ferromagnetic structures of said male connector are positioned in a distal wall of said female connector; wherein said complementary magnetic connection is complementary to said magnetic coupler of said front section; iii) a back section distal end; iv) a top contour, wherein said top contour of said back section matches the top contour of any other section; v) a bottom contour wherein said bottom contour of said back section matches the bottom contour of any other section; and vi) a side contour, wherein said side contour of said back section matches the side contour of any other said side contour of any other section; c) a middle section, said middle section comprising: i) a middle section body; ii) a middle section proximal end, said middle section proximal end comprising a complementary magnetic connection, said complementary magnetic connection being selected from the group consisting of: A) a male connector having a geometric shape and extending from said proximal end of said middle section, comprising ferromagnetic structures being positioned at a distal end wall of said geometric shape of said male connector; and B) a female receptor positioned in said proximal end of said middle section, having a shape complementary to said geometric shape of said male connector, wherein complementary ferromagnetic structures of said female receptor complementary to said ferromagnetic structures of said male connector are positioned in a distal wall of said female connector; wherein said complementary magnetic connection is complementary to said magnetic coupler of said front section; iii) middle section distal end; said middle section distal end comprising a complementary magnetic connection, said complementary magnetic connection being selected from the group consisting of: A) a male connector having a geometric shape and extending from said distal end of said middle section, comprising ferromagnetic structures being positioned at a distal end wall of said geometric shape of said male connector; and B) a female connector positioned in said distal end of said middle section, having a shape complementary to said geometric shape of said male connector, wherein complementary ferromagnetic structures of said female receptor complementary to said ferromagnetic structures of said male connector are positioned in a distal wall of said female connector; wherein said complementary magnetic connection is complementary to said magnetic coupler of said back section, such that said middle section is unidirectional and not reversible; iv) a top contour, wherein said toy contour of said middle section matches the top contour of any other section; v) a bottom contour wherein said bottom contour of said middle section matches the bottom contour of any other section; and vi) a side contour, wherein said side contour of said middle section matches the side contour of any other said side contour of any other section. 2) The mix or match toy of claim 1, wherein said similar theme is transportation. 3) The mix or match toy of claim 2, wherein the units are selected from the group consisting of an automobile, a locomotive, a boat, an airplane, and combinations thereof. 4) The mix or match toy of claim 1, wherein there are at least two sections for each unit. 5) The mix or match toy of claim 1, wherein there are at least three sections for each unit. 6) The mix or match toy of claim 1, wherein magnetic attachment comprises: a) a male connector; and b) a female receptor. 7) The mix or match toy of claim 5, wherein said three sections comprise: a) said front section, said front section having: i) a proximal end; and ii) a distal end, said distal end comprising a complementary magnetic connection; b) a middle section; said middle section comprising: i) a proximal end, said proximal end comprising a magnetic connection complementary to said magnetic connection of said distal end of said front section; and ii) a distal end, said distal end comprising a complementary magnetic connection; and c) a rear section, said rear section comprising: i) a proximal end, said proximal end comprising a magnetic connection complementary to said magnetic connection of said distal end of said middle section; and ii) a distal end. 8) The mix or match toy of claim 3, said at least two sections comprising: a) a front section, said front section having a set of two wheels separated by an axle attached to and positioned under the bottom of the bottom contour; and b) a rear section, said rear section having a second said set of two wheels separated by an axle attached to and positioned wider the bottom of the bottom contour. 9) The mix or match toy of claim 1, wherein said male connector comprises a ferromagnetic plate; and wherein said female connector comprises a magnet. 10) The mix or match toy of claim 1, wherein: a) the distal end of said front section comprises a female magnetic connector; b) the proximal end of said middle section comprises a male magnetic connector; c) the distal end of said middle section comprises a female magnetic connector; and d) the proximal end of said rear section comprises a male magnetic connector.
 11. The mix or match toy of claim 1, wherein the theme of said toy is selected from the group consisting of buildings, fashion, humans, fish, mammals, dinosaurs, insects, botany, lab equipment, electronic devices, foods, monsters, and combinations thereof.
 12. The mix or match toy of claim 1, wherein: e) the distal end of said front section comprises a male magnetic connector; f) the proximal end of said middle section comprises a female magnetic connector; g) the distal end of said middle section comprises a male magnetic connector; and h) the proximal end of said rear section comprises a female magnetic connector.
 13. The mix or match toy of claim 1, wherein said male connector comprises a magnet; and wherein said female connector comprises a ferromagnetic plate. 